LANDMARK CASE

Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha

(1995) 6 SCC 651 · Supreme Court of India · Consumer law

At a glance

Citation: (1995) 6 SCC 651
Court: Supreme Court of India
Area of law: Consumer law
In one line: Yes, except free services. Patients can file consumer complaints for negligence.

1 Facts

The question was whether medical services fall under consumer protection law.

2 Issue

Are doctors' services 'services' under the Consumer Protection Act?

3 What the court decided

Yes, except free services. Patients can file consumer complaints for negligence.

4 Why it matters

It opened consumer fora to medical negligence claims.

5 Think about it

Why were free services excluded?

6 Analyse it yourself

Read the full judgment from an official source or a law database, then brief it in seven steps: facts, issues, arguments, decision, ratio, obiter and significance. Always check the citation before you rely on it.

7 More cases on Consumer law

Lucknow Development Authority v. M.K. Gupta (1994) 1 SCC 243

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A short teaching summary for students. Educational content only, not legal advice.